Stinking exhaust

[bigdave1701]

Got in the car this morning and after about a mile (when I stopped at my sons nursery as the wife opened a back door) I noticed a burning plastic/chemical smell. The wife said its coming from the exhaust so I turned the engine off got out and went for a sniff. between turning the engine off and getting to the exhaust tip the smell had almost gone completely. Started the engine again and drove to work and the smell was back. Again by the time I got to the back of the car the smell had almost gone.

A visual inspection of the engine & exhaust reveals nothing. Ive checked the brakes and thyre not bound on. Any ideas?

*EDIT*
There's only 10 miles left in the tank if that has any relevance.

[Critch]

Could be cat failing Although its usually an eggy smell

[MrDerv]

Could be cat failing Although its usually an eggy smell

It would only smell eggy on a petrol engine

[m8internet]

More than likely the smell is being ventilated into the passenger compartment from the engine bay

Check the condition of the pollen filter

With the engine running and bonnet up check for smells from the engine bay, then compare within the car
Lower the bonnet, allow a few minutes to pass then compare

Does you car have rear seat vents?
If so, close these and compare

[the_riddler]

Have you checked your coolant level??
Some times early stages of headgasket going can smell a little like chemicals if the anti freeze is coming through the exhaust!

[Critch]

It would only smell eggy on a petrol engine

Fair enough

[bigdave1701]

There's been a bit of a warm coolant smell in the cabin for a while but it's not losing coolant. The smell is only really noticeable when stationery with a window or door open.

*EDIT*
Pollen filter was new 7 months ago. I checked the scuttle last week and it's clear.

[GazVXLINE170]

It would only smell eggy on a petrol engine

Yeah it would have a vegetable oil smell about it.

[TonyP2020]

It could also be a plastic bag burnt onto the exhaust.
That gives a burning plastic smell.
It could also be the DPF burning off the soot in it, that gets the exhaust really hot.

[the_riddler]

There's been a bit of a warm coolant smell in the cabin for a while but it's not losing coolant. The smell is only really noticeable when stationery with a window or door open.

I might be inclined to see if you can get a pressure test done on the coolant see if there is any exhaust gas presurisng the coolant system.

It could be going the other way and pushing a little exhaust gas out of the headertank overflow causing the smell etc! You tend to find most smells at the back of the car in the end due to the fact you travel forwards most lol!!